I attempted to contact the restaurant via email directly but no direct contact info provided on…read moretheir website, so I am posting here. Summary: it litterally left a bad taste in my. Off Uni which I saved for the last taste, first pieces stunk of ammonia, replacements were just bitter and off as well. These were suppose to be chef choice and he chose to serve off uni which could have easily been deteced with a sniff test. The salmon roe was also soft, runny, tasteless and off color. The remainder of the shashimi was OK but lacked the freshness one would expect for the price. Also the platter was so cluttered I could not identify what was what. Labels would be helpful. First time visit, first impressions are importent. Not the best experience I am giving an 1 star rating to draw attention for their managment and maybe fair warning to customers. I visited Raku on Thursday April 30 @7:30, Restaurant was about 3/4 full. A bit tight seasting as other's had described. Elbow to elbow almost. Typically noisy as resturantes are these days. 1. When we walked in, the receptionist / greeter had no uniform or ID badge so a bit confusing and no reception desk. Not the most welcoming hospitality. 2. Wait staff sort of dissappeared mid service or was just unattentive, they were right around the corner at the wait station. I dropped a chopstick on the floor and needed a repacement. I could not get eye contact so I had to get up and request a replacement after a few minutes. The two of us order the TOKU JO SASHIMI - (38) Chef's Choice ~ White or Multigrain Rice - $110. 3. The shashim was served an a single platter which was a bit crowded and lacked the artistry or elegance a $110 platter of shashimi shoud be presented. Many of the pieces were cut too large and chunky. I appreciate the generosity of the protions but they could / should have been sliced in half. Most of the fish tasted OK but lacked the brightness you expect from fresh cut shashimi. Maybe these platters are pre-prepared and storred in the cooler until needed. The rice served in bowls with the platter was extreemly bland to me. No flavor at all and a bit over cooked. 4. We ordeed the corn meal coated calamari as appetizer. This was adequate but lacked seasoniong and included a some what bland ambigious dipping sauce. Maybe garlic aioli. This was compped in compensation for the off uni in the sushi platter. Probabaly not going back regardless as I am not local.

I'm updating my review now. I went to this Raku several times for lunch and dinner more than…read moredecade. It's convenient location while you're in Bethesda Row area. Raku is an Asian fusion restaurant and have some verity of Asians menus that's nice things about here. Their popular coconuts curry noodles soup is from Thai or Vietnamese coconuts curry, and not as spicy as authentic Thai or Vietnamese ones so It's easy to eat. You can choose from 3 type of noodles and different soup - curry or simple broth. It's probably better choice here than their sushi for my preference. If we just want Sushi in near Bethesda area, Sushiko in Chavy Chase is good. When we crave for Authentic sushi we just go to authentic Japanese restaurants ( some Michelin stars "Sushi Taro" in DC ) that is truly authentic quality. I also go to other one for sushi ( "Love Sushi Makoto" in DC ) I know that's not even comparable category as those restaurants offers authentic real foods by Japanese owner and chef, and ingredients are real from Japan. I know It's not fair to compare to Asian fusion restaurant like Raku or typical local sushi places that other Asian or American own the place. Raku is very reasonably priced as it should be for actual ingredients. Price stays reasonable that makes this place a popular spot too. I have to be honest their miso soup tastes no real authentic favor to me. But Raku is definitely better choice of quality foods overall compare to other Asian restaurants in Bethesda. Sushi chefs and waitresses are asian and none of them are Japanese and that is ok as most of Sushi chefs and Sushi restaurants in USA the workers are not Japanese anyways. It is actually hard to find Sushi restaurants that owned by Japanese with real Japanese chefs and waitresses and staff in USA. They sometimes says welcome "irasshai" in some Japanese greeting ( that's only used in restaurant setting ) with their wrong accent that is cute to me:) Bethesda is a cute little town and Bethesda row is just like a corner cute village with surrounded by basic restaurants and cafes, normal shops, nothing luxury really, but safer and quiet, clean little town. Neighbors enjoy to go out to restaurants including this Raku as easy to access from near suburbs housing area, so my friends does and walking distance from their houses. This restaurant set small tables very close to next seat and there's very small bar that space is limited, that's as why it's always filled up and crowded. It's uncomfortable and no privacy, I wish they make space between next seats. Except winter, they offer outside seats and dog friendly that's a bonus for dog lovers.

6/26/26: Kema by Kenaki exceeded every expectation and was easily one of the best meals we had…read moreduring our trip. The restaurant has a modern, inviting atmosphere, and the staff was warm, attentive, and knowledgeable throughout the entire meal. We ordered the Black Magic Roll, the Mini Masunosuke Don Bento, and the Mini Unadon Bento, and every dish was exceptional. The Black Magic Roll was the standout of the meal, with incredibly fresh fish, great texture, and a unique combination of flavors that made every bite memorable. The Mini Masunosuke Don Bento featured king salmon topped with ikura over rice, along with karaage, salad, miso soup, and dessert. Everything was fresh, well-balanced, and beautifully presented, making it feel like much more than a typical bento box. The Mini Unadon Bento was just as impressive. The grilled unagi was tender, flavorful, and perfectly glazed, served over rice with crispy karaage, salad, miso soup, and dessert. It was comforting, satisfying, and executed exceptionally well. What really stood out was the attention to detail. Every plate looked beautiful, the ingredients tasted incredibly fresh, and the quality was consistent across every dish we ordered. You can tell the chefs put a lot of care into both presentation and execution. If you're looking for high-quality Japanese cuisine in the Gaithersburg area, Kema by Kenaki is absolutely worth the visit. Between the creative sushi, outstanding seafood, and excellent service, it's an easy 5/5. I'll definitely be back to explore more of the menu.

Stopped by this sushi spot for lunch today with my family, and it was another great experience. We…read morewere the first ones in the restaurant, which made for a calm and relaxing start to the meal. We ordered the ribeye Japanese fried rice, Green Monster roll, J-Pop roll, California roll, Crunchy Shrimp roll, Crunchy Spicy Salmon roll, Shrimp Tempura roll, miso soup, and Deep Sea hand roll. Everything came out quickly, fresh, and flavorful - exactly what we've come to expect from this place. The ribeye in the fried rice dish was incredibly tender and cooked perfectly, while the rice itself was seasoned so well that every bite was packed with flavor. My favorite roll was definitely the Green Monster Roll - fresh, delicious, and full of flavor. I also appreciate that the maki rolls here are never skimpy, which makes them very filling and well worth the price. The service was excellent from beginning to end - quick, attentive and consistent throughout our visit. Our waters and hot green tea were always refilled without having to ask, and every request, from extra pickled ginger to additional plates, was handled promptly and politely. Overall, another solid dining experience with no issues at all. I would absolutely recommend this spot for either lunch or dinner if you're craving sushi. One thing to keep in mind is that they do close for a part of the afternoon to prepare for dinner service, so plan accordingly!

Came back here after several years and Sushiko holds up over the years. The happy hour specials…read morefrom 5-7 PM were fantastic. They have managed to give a fine dining twist on karage that is so good. Also love the hamachi crudo and salmon ceviche-really fresh and paired nicely with the lychee martini. Great sake options also. We really enjoyed all of the sakes we tried. Finished with a bento box and loved all of the super fresh sashimi, sushi and rolls. I'm sure the staff was shocked we ate so much but we haven't had sushi this good or fresh in awhile. Service was really fantastic. The servers were super friendly and always on top of our table refilling with water and making sure we were happy. The ambiance is very classy but comfortable. The dining room is very pleasing to the eye and cozy. The bar is a full bar and can probably prepare any drink that you want.

Representing a runner-up to out of town pick for a local DMV place representing 2019, S is for…read moreSushiko. I visited twice in February 2019 & December 2019. Both times were after a movie at AMC Mazza Gallerie on the DC side of Western Ave NW, and both times were with the same woman. Feb. 2019, she was friend & became a girlfriend in June 2019. Experience was pretty good the first time, and I was game to go again when my girlfriend suggested it in December 2019. I was underwhelmed on the 2nd visit. I felt like it was overpriced compared to other places, and sushi was subpar in my opinion. I've had other sushi that I enjoyed more at a lower price. The place is fancy with the table settings & atmosphere, but it's just not worth the price. My g/f of the time agreed with me, that she was underwhelmed too, and she would've be vocal to tell me if she thought I was wrong, but we were on the same page on this one.

Maki Bar is absolutely my go-to spot in Bethesda! I love their weekday lunch specials--they are a…read morelifesaver when I am working and looking for a fresh, delicious, and quick meal. When I come back for dinner, the Dragon Roll is an absolute must-order every single time. The fish is always incredibly fresh, the portions are generous, and the service is wonderful. Highly recommend!

I genuinely enjoy the food at Maki Bar -- it's always fresh, flavorful, and consistently good. The…read morespicy mayonnaise is especially delicious, and that's honestly one of the reasons I kept coming back. I used to dine in once or twice a week because I like the food that much. Unfortunately, every time we go, we seem to have the same waitress, and the service experience has really changed how often we come in. She consistently acts like she doesn't want to be there and seems visibly annoyed if you ask for anything. It makes you feel like you're inconveniencing her just by ordering or requesting something simple. Because of this, I've completely stopped dining in and now only order carryout. It's disappointing because the food deserves a great in-restaurant experience to match. I truly hope the owners take note, because with warmer service, this place would easily be a go-to spot again for us.

- Super fresh and diverse cuts of fish - Fish literally…read moremelts in your mouth - Quick and friendly service - Cute interior

Food: 4/5 sushi was very fresh, I just feel like their combination sushi roll options were kind of…read morelacking. They are unique but I'm used to going to sushi restaurants with a lot more sushi roll options, while this restaurant had a lot of other entrees. It makes the place more edible for people that don't want to eat raw fish though! Service: 4/5 the server Allen himself was great, super nice and willing to answer as many questions as you have. One thing that bothered me was that two people on different ends of the table got sushi rolls but their rolls were all put on the same plate. -1 for that, but the service otherwise was great and food came out quick. Ambiance: The music was more upbeat in the background than I expected for a sushi restaurant, but it was fun and different! We comfortably sat a party of 7.

Yirasai has been my family's favorite sushi place for many years. This present location is bigger…read morethan the previous location and the facility is clean. There is street parking. Their servers are friendly and efficient and the food is still delicious and made fresh. I love that they give complimentary rolls at the end. Prices are reasonable.

I've been here a couple of times and this place has great sushi and great customer service! I'm so…read moreglad it's close to my house, looking forward to my next visit already!

Average sushi place. Took over the Green Bamboo and it's honestly more of the same…read more Food was fine in terms of flavor. The spicy tuna roll and orange chicken were tasty. However, the kani salad was soo small and unimpressive for $8. Incredibly small portions where half of it was cucumber and it was fairly dry. The avocado eel roll was also a JOKE. It was 95% avo and had barely a sliver of eel.

Sushi night in my neck of the woods? Why not?!…read more I'm a huge fan of "hole in the wall" gems, and I think Akagi qualifies for that distinction. What do I mean? Well... It's a place that isn't too big, didn't have a crazy pop, but the food hits just right, every time. It's certainly a gem. Yesterday (Friday night), two friends (one celebrating a bday) and I wanted to get some sushi and keep it pushing. We went to Akagi right up the road and got ordering right away. The service? The staff was so kind and treated us like regulars. Jokes, refills, and the owner personally made us some matcha lattes, that really enhanced our night. The server had a great sense of humor and gave solid recommendations (I got the American dream, imma get it again, too!). Everything was highkey delicious. The ambiance is cool, but I wish more people came through. We didn't have a lot of people close by to sing with us, so I had to show the staff - and half of Rockville - my singing prowess (or lack their of) on the happy bday music. Not the Stevie, if you're wondering. For the bday dessert, we split the tempura cheesecake. It was serious work. Seriously. Not too sweet, but something about the crust being fried with the cheesecake filling just took it over the top. Maaan it was good. The sushi? The sushi?! Fairly priced, big portions, well styled, rocked my socks off with eel sauce. We shared as a table and really just had a ball. Between the service, humor, bday singing, delicious food, and extra attention to detail, this may be a "hole in the wall" fave for years to come. I suggest checking them out and diving head first into the sushi/dessert. Good times/good vibes. Oh and, Happy Bday, Kev!

Delicious fresh sushi and nice folks. Great rolls and don't miss the salmon belly to startread more

This is got to be one of my favorite small hole in the wall places, the fish was very fresh,…read moredecisis were on the generous side, and I love that their sushi rolls is not drowning with so much rice. The host was very sweet and friendly, you could feel that they take pride in what they serve. Absolutely 2 thumbs up!!!!